17 Comments

Wow, just casually crying. Almost 4 years ago, I began a terrible terrible chronic illness journey I hope no one ever has to experience. "It's just IBS!" everyone told me, over and over. That I was exaggerating symptoms. Not only did they find endometriosis (and tissue growing all over the outside of my uterus, intestines, and more places I'm too polite to name here...), but just 3 months ago, they FINALLY ran the remaining tests I'd been asking for, and I had a stomach parasite attacking my system that was solved with ONE DAY'S WORTH of antiobiotics. I lost 3 years of my life because no one believed my debilitating stomach pain and just thought it was IBS. I'm still really reeling from it and emotional about it — I hope one day I move on. But for now, I will continue to advocate for women's health because it is entirely unfair and we are OVER IT.

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Apr 22Author

Holy shit, I'm so sorry Cassie. This awful and it sucks that you had to go through so much to just be taken seriously. Most of my friends who have endometriosis have faced similar struggles, and sometimes have changed multiple gynacs and doctors until *someone* would take them seriously. I'm glad you know now, even though nothing will ever make up for lost time and the unnecessary suffering you went through.

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I've been diagnosed with IBS, too. It must be remembered that IBS is a SYNDROME, not an actual recognized disease. It's just a collection of symptoms. My husband's convinced the doctors just pull out that particular label whenever they can't figure something out. I'm glad you finally got them to treat the actual problem.

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Apr 22Author

This is a helpful tip, thanks, Jeannine!

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WTH.

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Have you read this book: https://carolinecriadoperez.com/book/invisible-women/ It is so amazing and life changing.

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Apr 22Author

I've read parts of it, yes! I followed it quite closely when it came out and finding out that everything from the general/default temperature in offices to the way seatbelts are designed is geared towards men and their comfort made me so mad. I definitely want to go back and read all of it.

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Yeah I found it way too infuriating and upsetting to read in one go. The author has a Substack too. And I didn’t say, I love your work ❤️

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Jul 8Author

Thank you SO much! That is so lovely to hear! 💜 And yes, definitely a book to read in parts otherwise one's blood pressure is very likely to go up from the rage.

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Get well soon!

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Apr 22Author

Thank you so much! For the wishes & for reading (and for always commenting, I really appreciate that) :D

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Thanks for featuring me and also this is SUCH an important topic.

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Apr 22Author

It was my pleasure! And thank you! :)

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Oh my. NOW I know why I was so exhausted (like I wanted to lay down in the street and nap exhausted) in my 20s and 30s.

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Apr 22Author

Ikr! So, so many of us fielded some truly ridiculous diagnoses and were constantly dismissed to the point where it's probably affected our "potential" for other things and generally, our ability to live a happy, pain-free, and stress-free life, smh.

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Deep in the PMS throes right now so this is very well timed for me. 🥲

And hope you feel better soonest <3

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Apr 22Author

Thank you so much!! <3 Sending you lots of strength and wishes for no pain/cramps.

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